Meijer Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Skillet Pasta with Ground Chuck and Classico Pasta Sauce
Description: A simple, hearty skillet meal with seasoned ground beef tossed with pasta and rich tomato sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. Kids love twirling the pasta and the familiar, comforting flavors make this an easy weeknight win.
Sale items used: Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck ($5.29/lb), Classico Pasta Sauce ($1.99 for 15-24 oz.)
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use approximately 0.5 lb of ground chuck (about $2.65 worth) and roughly 1.5 cups of dry pasta from pantry; use about half the jar of Classico sauce and save the rest for another use. Total protein portion is a single kid-sized serving of about 3-4 oz cooked beef.
Recipes:
- Easy Pasta Skillet
- Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Bone-In Chicken Thighs with BBQ Sauce and Green Bell Peppers
Description: Juicy bone-in chicken thighs are brushed with sweet BBQ sauce and baked alongside tender sliced green bell peppers for a colorful, finger-licking meal kids will ask for again. The simple sweet sauce keeps flavors mild and totally kid-approved.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Chicken Thighs ($1.49/lb), Kraft BBQ Sauce or Bullseye BBQ Sauce ($1.49 for 17.5-18 oz.), Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers ($0.79 each)
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serving note: Purchase approximately 0.75 lb of bone-in chicken thighs (about $1.12 worth, likely 1-2 thighs from the family pack); use 1 green bell pepper sliced into strips; use a few tablespoons of BBQ sauce from the bottle and store the rest. Make-ahead tip: marinate the thighs in BBQ sauce in the morning so they go straight into the oven at dinner time.
Recipes:
- Best Damn Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

Wednesday
Meal: Grilled Fresh from Meijer Brats on Aunt Millie's Bread with Campari Tomatoes
Description: A plump, juicy brat is grilled until golden and nestled into soft Aunt Millie's bread for a fun hot-dog-style meal kids absolutely love. Fresh sliced Campari tomatoes on the side add a bright, mild pop of color and flavor.
Sale items used: Bell's Beer or Fresh from Meijer Brats ($3.99 for 19 oz.), Aunt Millie's Bread ($1.99 for 22 oz.), Campari Tomatoes ($2.99 for 16 oz.)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: The 19 oz. pack contains approximately 5 brats; cook 1-2 for this meal and refrigerate the rest for later in the week or freeze them. Use 2 slices of Aunt Millie's bread as a bun substitute; slice 3-4 Campari tomatoes for the side and store remaining tomatoes in the fridge.
Recipes:
- Grilled Bratwurst

Thursday
Meal: Pan-Cooked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Green Cabbage Slaw and Duke's Mayonnaise
Description: Tender boneless skinless chicken thighs are pan-seared until golden and served alongside a simple creamy slaw made with shredded green cabbage and a light Duke's mayo dressing. The mild, creamy slaw is a kid-friendly twist that pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken.
Sale items used: Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs ($1.99/lb), Locally Grown Green Cabbage ($0.69/lb), Duke's Mayonnaise ($3.99 for 30 oz.)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Purchase approximately 0.5 lb of boneless skinless chicken thighs (about $1.00 worth, roughly 1-2 thighs); purchase approximately 0.5 lb of green cabbage (about $0.35 worth) and shred about 1 cup for the slaw; use 1-2 tablespoons of Duke's mayo for the dressing and store the large bottle for future use. The family pack is large - portion out what you need and freeze the rest in individual servings.
Recipes:
- Simple Cabbage and Chicken Thigh Skillet
- One-Pan Chicken Thighs with Sautéed Cabbage and Potatoes

Friday
Meal: Oven-Cooked Smithfield Pork Loin Filet with Meijer Family Size Ready to Heat Mashed Potatoes
Description: A pre-seasoned Smithfield pork loin filet is roasted in the oven until tender and juicy, then served with creamy ready-to-heat mashed potatoes for a satisfying, no-fuss Friday dinner. The mild, savory flavors are simple and comforting, making it a meal kids will happily clean their plates for.
Sale items used: Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin ($5.99 for 19.2-27.2 oz.), Meijer Family Size Ready to Heat Mashed Potatoes or Mac & Cheese ($3.69 for 28-32 oz.)
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: The full Smithfield filet package serves multiple meals - slice off roughly one-third for tonight's dinner (approximately 6-8 oz.) and refrigerate or freeze the remainder for later in the week. Use about one-quarter of the mashed potato tray for one serving and refrigerate the rest. Make-ahead tip: the pork can be sliced and portioned before cooking so leftovers are ready to reheat quickly on the weekend.

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Fresh from Meijer Chicken Thighs, bone-in (0.75 lb): $1.12
- Fresh from Meijer Family Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (0.5 lb): $1.00
- Certified Angus Beef Ground Chuck (0.5 lb): $2.65
- Smithfield Pork Loin Filet or Tenderloin (1 package): $5.99
- Meijer Family Size Ready to Heat Mashed Potatoes (1 package): $3.69
- Bell's Beer or Fresh from Meijer Brats (1 pack, 19 oz.): $3.99
- Aunt Millie's Bread (1 loaf, 22 oz.): $1.99
- Classico Pasta Sauce (1 jar, 15-24 oz.): $1.99
- Locally Grown Green Bell Peppers (1 pepper): $0.79
- Campari Tomatoes (1 package, 16 oz.): $2.99
- Locally Grown Green Cabbage (0.5 lb): $0.35
- Kraft BBQ Sauce or Bullseye BBQ Sauce (1 bottle): $1.49
- Duke's Mayonnaise (1 bottle, 30 oz.): $3.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Dry pasta (rotini, penne, or spaghetti)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Italian seasoning
- Sugar (optional, for slaw dressing)
- Apple cider vinegar (optional, for slaw dressing)